I’ve been secretly trying the new iPad Pro – it’s Apple’s ‘thinnest gadget ever’ but that’s not even the best bit

I’VE been waiting 562 days for this.

Apple has finally released new tablets after what felt like a mammoth pause – and I’m one of the first people testing out its new super-luxe iPad Pro.

Sean Keach / The U.S. Sun

The new iPad Pro is Apple’s most powerful tablet yet[/caption]

This powerful and premium slate is packed with more computing heft than most laptops.

And it’s so impossibly thin and light you wonder if it’s all some Californian magic trick.

I’ve been trying it out for the best part of a week, and I want to start off with the screen.

It comes in two sizes – 11 inches and (my preference) 13 inches – and uses OLED display technology.

If you’ve bought a posh TV or a newer iPhone recently then that term might be familiar to you.

Normally gadget screens use a backlight to illuminate the crystals that make up the pixels on your display.

But this generally means these LED-backlit LCD displays can’t show true blacks – because there’s always light.

An OLED display has self-illuminating pixels that can be turned on or off individually.

That means they can display true black, offering improved contrast (darker blacks and brighter white) as well as a wider range of colors.

Apple has used a special combination of two OLED panels for truly spectacular brightness.

The display looks great, especially if you take a look at some HDR movies – or head to YouTube and check out some specific OLED content to see exactly why these displays are so impressive.

There’s a good chance this new Ultra Retina XDR display is better than your TV.

And the speakers serve up some very immersive audio 

SIZING IT UP

Apple

There are two sizes to choose from: 11 inches and 13 inches[/caption]

If you’re using a tablet instead of a laptop, its portability should be one of the big perks.

That box is unquestionably ticked with the new iPad Pro, which weighs just 0.98lbs or 1.28lbs depending on the size you buy.

And while the 11-inch device is extremely svelte at 5.3mm, the 13-inch is even thinner at 5.1mm.

There’s a stark difference compared to the old iPad Pro, especially with its previous-gen Magic Keyboard attached.

Sean Keach / The U.S. Sun

This is Apple’s thinnest gadget ever, the company says[/caption]

Apple’s new Magic Keyboard is much improved too, with (finally) a function row of keys and a premium metallic base.

The iPad Pro’s leanness is crystallized when you slap the Apple Pencil Pro on to its magnetic attachment on the long side of the tablet – and then notice that the stylus is almost twice as thick. It’s a real wow moment.

Apple gleefully noted in its keynote that this is its thinnest product ever. It’s an incredible achievement deserving of bragging.

POWER PAD

Apple

The new OLED screen can display true blacks – serving up stunning contrast[/caption]

Performance is staggering, frankly.

Apple has fitted the new iPad Pro with its custom-built M4 chip, a processor that inevitably will (but does not yet) power Mac laptops.

For casual users, its power will be imperceptibly good. All you’ll know is that nothing you do slows it down.

Games can be cranked up to max graphics settings seemingly without issue.

Sean Keach / The U.S. Sun

The Magic Keyboard is a must-have for power users[/caption]

For Pro users, you’ll be able to comfortably use this for video editing, animating, and photo retouching (even with extremely large file sizes).

And as a technical device for artists paired with the new Apple Pencil Pro, it’s impossible to beat.

I love drawing on Procreate and can lose hours to it. For proper artists with actual skill, it must be as close to an industrial revolution as it gets.

There are some other minor tweaks worth noting if you’re an iPad fanatic.

Apple

The rear camera is decent enough[/caption]

Apple has shifted the FaceTime camera to the landscape edge. This is better for looking like you’re paying attention on video calls.

But it also means I no longer end up accidentally smearing the camera with finger marks when I open it. Big win.

The rear camera is slightly improved. It’s still leagues behind a modern iPhone camera system, but it’s perfectly workable.

You’ve got a USB-C connection just like on the previous model, which works for charging. And the Magic Keyboard also bundles in a USB-C port too.

Sean Keach / The U.S. Sun

The screen uses two OLED panels to achieve extreme levels of brightness[/caption]

That means you can use the same iPad cable to charge newer MacBook and iPhone devices.

CLEAN SLATE

Gone are the old days where there was just one iPad. Now Apple has a broad range of tablets suiting many needs.

Plenty of people just don’t need an iPad Pro – so who exactly is this machine for?

Apple

There are two colors to choose from: Silver and Space Black[/caption]

Part of the problem with the iPad Pro is that some of its greatest potential is in its accessories: the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro / Pencil.

And you’ll have to fork out those: the Magic Keyboard costs $299 or $349 depending on size, and a Pencil or Pencil Pro will set you back $79 or $129.

Then there’s the cost of the tablet itself, which starts at $999 and $1,299.

So for the cheapest full set-up, you’re looking at a minimum of $1,377.

Sean Keach / The U.S. Sun

The Apple Pencil Pro attaches neatly to the top of the device[/caption]

For some people, that will simply be unpalatable.

But this is a true powerhouse that is far beyond what you might normally think of as a tablet, and that has huge value for some people.

It has exceptional performance, doubles up as a fairly competent laptop, and is a class-leader as a tablet.

If you’re going to get multiple hours of use out of this a day, it’s an easy sell.

But unless you’re scrapping your laptop purchase for this, most users on a budget will be far better off picking up a regular iPad or the very capable new iPad Air (running on the older but still-speedy M2 chip).

I can comfortably work on an iPad, using it for writing, photo-editing, researching, and meetings.

And I can use it for play too, watching movies on its stunning screen, playing games of Wild Rift with graphics set to max, and illustrating for fun using Procreate.

That makes it far easier to justify the value versus someone who really just wants a tablet for a bit of casual YouTube viewing and some light gaming.

Apple

The iPad Pro is remarkably thin – making its immense power even more impressive[/caption]

If you’re looking for the best tablet money can buy, this is it. No question.

The Sun says: Somehow better-looking, more powerful, and feature-packed in a slimmer and lighter package, the new iPad Pro is as good as tablets get. It manages to offer value for money at a high price point – no mean feat. 5/5

IPAD PRO PRICE AND RELEASE NOTES

The iPad Pro is available for pre-order right now, and will be in stores from Wednesday, May 15.

Here’s how much you’ll pay:

• 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) – $999 / £999
• 11-inch iPad Pro (Cellular) – $1,199 / £1,199
• 13-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) – $1,299 / £1,299
• 13-inch iPad Pro (Cellular) – $1,499 / £1,499
• Apple Pencil Pro – $129 / £129
• New Magic Keyboard (11-inch) – $299 / £299
• New Magic Keyboard (13-inch) – $349 / £349
• New Smart Folio (11-inch) – $79 / £79
• New Smart Folio (13-inch) – $99 / £99

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing.